Farmer's Weekly Africa March 2023

AFRICA

THE PART-TIME BEEF CATTLE FARMER WITH BIG PLANS TO EXPAND HER BUSINESS

FISH FARM IN THE NORTH SETS ITS SIGHTS ON EXPORTING TILAPIA

VEGGIE IMPORT BAN A MAJOR BOOST FOR BOTSWANAN POTATO GROWER

STRAWBERRIES, GARLIC AND GINGER HOW A HUSBAND-ANDWIFE TEAM BUILT THEIR HORTICULTURE BUSINESS

FROM AN OFFICE JOB TO AGRICULTURE: THE YOUNG FARMER DOING HER PART FOR FOOD SECURITY

The

Strawberries, garlic and ginger: How a husband-and-wife team built their horticulture business

The fish farm in the north setting its sights on exporting tilapia

The part-time beef cattle farmer with big plans to expand her business

Veggie ban brings big benefits for Botswanan potato grower

From an office job to agriculture: the young farmer doing her part for food security

Why a Namibian farmer relies on Afrikaner cattle

Farmers that will keep inspiring you to do your best!

Since the pandemic hit the world, there has been little to celebrate as lockdowns crippled economies and saw millions of people losing their jobs and livelihoods. Then, when lockdowns were largely lifted and the world seemed to be on the road to returning to normal, Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine, throwing the world’s economies into further turmoil. We have seen investors flee from volatile and emerging markets, as they seek to evade risk and invest in sounder economies.

Thankfully, we live in Africa, a continent with huge potential. Yes, we have our challenges, including geopolitical tension and poverty, and while we cannot underestimate these problems, we can keep hope alive by simply recognising those that are determined to make a difference.

In this issue of Farmer’s Weekly Africa, for example, we meet a range of talented and passionate farmers, who, despite facing many personal challenges and hardships, have continued to keep their operations thriving. For instance, Willy and Doreen Kathurima, the farmers featured on the cover of this issue, are among a handful of farmers taking advantage of Botswana’s push to expand food production by increasing local expertise in horticulture. This has been no small task, however. The couple first ventured into agriculture in 2018, producing tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers. Unfortunately, they soon discovered that the market was saturated, and had to change their production strategy entirely, and decided to venture into ginger, garlic and strawberry production instead. Since then, they have expanded production, and have ambition to expand their operation even further.

We also speak to aquaculturist Mari van Graan, who, alongside her husband Pieter, runs one of the few aquaculture projects in the country. They also produce maize, fruit and vegetables. The Van Graans were the first to begin an aquaculture operation in Kasane, Botswana, and had to battle a lot of bureaucracy to finally get their operation off the ground, and are hoping to soon export their fish to other countries in Africa.

Also featured is Tebogo Direng, a part-time cattle farmer in the Sandveld in Botswana. She grew up in Sefhare village, where she was raised by a single mother. It was her uncle who inspired her passion for farming. She has faced many challenges, including losing almost 50% of her herd at one point, but Direng is determined to keep her operation growing. She now runs 260 cattle, and hopes to increase this to 300 head by the end of this year. These farmers, and others like them, are some of the reasons we can be hopeful. Their determination and tenacity are contagious, and I hope they can inspire you as much as they have inspired me!

EDITORIAL TEAM

Editor: Janine Ryan

Managing editor: Ellis Mnyandu

Senior designer: Louis Kruger

Copy editors: Paul Sulter, Jenna van der Walt and Fanie de Villiers

Sales and marketing manager: Reinhard Lotz 010 971 3765 farmersweekly.co.za

COPYRIGHT © 2023 FARMER’S WEEKLY

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted without the prior written permission of the publisher.

DISCLAIMER

While due care has been taken to ensure accuracy, Farmer’sWeekly are not liable for any errors in product listings or availability, pricing or any other information.

Janine Ryan, Editor

machinery and equipment driving Africa forward

How machinery is driving agriculture forwards in Africa

OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, MACHINERY SALES HAVE SEEN A BOOM. DO YOU EXPECT THIS TREND TO STAGNATE IN THE NEAR TERM IN AFRICA?

The short answer is no. However, this depends on where in Africa you’re looking. In South Africa, for example, the past year saw the sale of 9 000 tractors, the highest in 40 years. Thus, from a South African perspective, it is likely that we have hit a ceiling, and will see a downward trajectory from now on.

However, in the rest of Africa, the upward trend is expected to continue. In Ethiopia, for example, the average sales of tractors over the past 10 years have been around 300 units. In 2022, Ethiopia saw the sale of 1 200 tractors.

Many governments in Africa are pushing the drive towards agriculture. This means that the sale of machinery and equipment here is likely to increase rather than decrease. Geopolitical tension, such as the Russia-Ukraine war in Eastern Europe, has also resulted in governments moving towards more protectionist policies to safeguard food security. Another reason for the increase in sales is due to initiatives supported by the private sector. For example, John Deere has been collaborating with provincial governments in some countries in Africa to support agricultural development through the use of the contracting model over the past few years.

PLEASE EXPLAIN THE CONTRACTING MODEL, AND HOW FARMERS BENEFIT FROM IT.

In a nutshell, the contracting model allows farmers or others to lend out their services in terms of land preparation (ploughing and planting) to their neighbours for a fee charged per hectare. The contractor owns the necessary machinery to provide these services. Through this model, farmers in Africa can benefit from mechanisation without having to actually own the machinery. The contractor model also creates jobs, such as in marketing, debt collecting and driving, and doesn’t require that the contractor own land. Contractors can also use their equipment to add value to their operations by pumping water from a well for other farmers for irrigation purposes, for example.

HOW DOES JOHN DEERE SUPPORT THIS INITIATIVE?

John Deere finds a local farmer, who is expected to make a small down-payment on the machinery needed. This is to ensure that the farmer is fully invested in the business; since requiring a small down-payment, our repossession rate has dropped to below 5%. For the model to work, we need to partner with local finance suppliers. We also need to enlist the help of a local John Deere dealer to provide after-sales support. This initiative is currently operating in five countries in Africa, and we hope to increase the scale of this operation across the continent.

GOING GREEN HAS BEEN A BIG CONSIDERATION IN MACHINERY DEVELOPMENT OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, BUT CONSIDERING THE FINANCIAL PRESSURES

FARMERS ARE UNDER, WILL THERE BE LESS EMPHASIS ON THIS GOING FORWARD?

From a global perspective, the trend is likely to continue. However, lowering your carbon footprint does not necessarily mean using ‘green’ machinery. In Africa, there is a greater focus on basic technology that hasn’t fully been utilised. For example, subsistence farmers use a disc plough to till their lands. However, if not done properly, this can create compaction and soil erosion, and can lead to the leaching of important nutrients. However, if these farmers use a ripper instead, they would see a massive difference in crop yields. The ripper will allow water to go through the ripper line, saving the soil from erosion, preventing compaction and allowing the roots of the crop to reach the water and absorb the nutrients. In a project in Ghana run by John Deere, by using a ripper and focusing on planting depth and spacing, farmers improved their crop yields from 1,7t/ha to 7t/ha. This helps improves farmers’ income, but also saves the environment through protecting the soil and efficiently utilising water.

ARE AFRICAN FARMERS MOVING TOWARDS SMALLER MACHINERY?

Not necessarily. We advise farmers to use machinery that matches the scale of their operation. If you have a small operation, spending millions on a large combine harvester would be pointless. However, small does not mean ‘bad’. John Deere’s smaller tractors (up to 75kW) are fitted with the same technology engines as its larger machinery, which means that smaller farmers can get the same benefits of technology as their bigger counterparts. Moreover, farmers are generally more concerned with precision than size.

• Visit deere.africa/en to find a local dealer. FW

Jaco Beyers, managing director of Africa Middle East at John Deere, speaks to Janine Ryan about the trends in machinery and agriculture in Africa.

JACO BEYERS

Agrico: your turnkey irrigation solution

From planning, pumps and pipelines to full automation and system management, range of irrigation solutions. Leave the irrigation to Agrico, and you can focus on optimising yield and quality.

Wedged between the Motloutse and Limpopo rivers in southern Botswana is Kwanentle Farm, which is prohibited from using the rivers for irrigation purposes. To solve this problem, Agrico installed more than 17 boreholes parallel to the Motloutse to provide a sustainable supply of water.

The farm specialises in cash crops, maize and sugar beans. To keep costs low, boreholes were constructed near the reservoirs. Thereafter, the Agrico team dug trenches for the main lines and cable routes, installed the pipeline, and set up pump stations. When everything was in place, the farm had 24 centre pivots, three pump stations, and three distribution dams.

Agrico is Southern Africa’s largest supplier of irrigation systems and completes turnkey projects across Africa. In effect, this means that a farmer can leave the entire project to Agrico; the company will take full responsibility, from first contact and assessment, to delivery, installation and after-sales support.

A TYPICAL IRRIGATION PROJECT

Here is an example of a project outline, from start to finish:

•  Survey and assessment

Agrico completes a detailed survey of the farm and assesses its suitability for irrigation. Its experts then help the farmer choose the best type of irrigation based on the farm’s source of water, energy resources and topography.

•  Design

Agrico’s skilled team of engineers provide detailed plans of hydraulic systems and pump stations to ensure smooth, on-budget project implementation. All equipment and systems are designed to reduce ultimate operational expenditure.

•  Shipment and delivery

The entire irrigation system is shipped

in complete knocked-down form.

•  Installation

Agrico installs the full system on site. This includes digging trenches, laying cables, constructing pump stations and erecting centre pivots.

•  Automation

Agrico Web Control offers system management and control over pivots and pumps as a complete unit, simplifying irrigation management and saving energy. The company’s fully automated

irrigation systems enable customers to manage their irrigation systems remotely from any smart device.

•  After-sales service

After installation, Agrico commissions the project and offers technical aftersales service to provide the farmer with comprehensive and expert irrigation support, advice and maintenance.

Agrico has 38 branches across Southern Africa, including two branches in Zambia. With its in-depth understanding of water scarcity in the region, the company understands the need to optimise irrigation systems to conserve this precious resource. In this regard, every detail is considered: Agrico systems are designed to reduce evaporation and run-off, durable materials are used to prevent leaks, nozzle spacing is adjusted to ensure optimal distribution, irrigation is scheduled correctly, and much more.

POWER AND SUSTAINABILITY

Agrico’s systems are also designed so that they are energy-efficient, keeping power consumption and operating costs at a farm as low as possible.

Agrico understands the need for farmers to conserve water resources and energy to ensure their farming is done in a way that sustains the environment and their profitability as an enterprise. www.agrico.co.za. FW

Agrico brings all the expertise necessary to design, install and maintain a farm‘s irrigation system to ensure cost savings and water resource conservation. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

ABOVE: With ever-greater demands being placed on the region‘s water supplies, farmers are looking for an integrated solution to their irrigation needs. Agrico can provide your farm with a turnkey irrigation solution.

The farmers helping Botswana boost its food production

Willy Kathurima and his wife Doreen are among a handful of farmers taking advantage of Botswana’s push to expand food production by increasing local expertise in horticulture. Tshiamo Tabane reports on how the couple launched their business, Ramaphatle Greens, which produces strawberries, garlic and ginger.

Less than an hour’s drive west of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone, is the small farming community of Ramaphatle, and it is here that Willy Kathurima and his wife Doreen have set up a thriving farming operation to produce strawberries, garlic and ginger. The motto of their business, Ramaphatle Greens, is ‘smart horticulture farming’, which underlines their ambition to produce high-quality crops both profitably and sustainably.

They started production in 2018 with tomatoes, green peppers and cucumbers destined for retailers in Gaborone. The Kathurimas very soon discovered, however, that the tomato and pepper markets were saturated, so they ventured into ginger, garlic and strawberries instead.

The shift to these commodities proved to be a remarkable stroke of luck: two years after the business opened, the COVID-19 pandemic hit, pushing demand for ginger and garlic to new heights as word spread that these crops had immune-boosting properties, and they became key ingredients in home concoctions and diets.

TRAINING AND SUPPORT

To understand how to produce these two crops, the couple enlisted the help of the Ginger, Garlic & Turmeric Farmers’ Group, which they joined to receive technical training and support.

They started their garlic production with caution, planting only 1ha; the crop thrived, however, and appeared easy to grow. The returns were also encouraging, and in 2021 they expanded production to 2,5ha. They discovered while doing

farmer’s

Willy Kathurima and his wife Doreen on their farm in Ramaphatle, about 40km from Gaborone, where they have a thriving horticultural operation under netting. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

so that garlic seed was one of the most expensive inputs.

“In 2022, we decided to invest in garlic seed, and were able to cultivate a substantial amount of garlic for seed and to supply the local market,” says Doreen.

Production of ginger began almost simultaneously on 0,25ha, and the entire crop was sold.

“We’re currently multiplying ginger seed for our own planting, and we’re also seeing high demand in the market,” she adds.

From March 2021, the Kathurimas added strawberries to their output after receiving encouragement from a neighbour who produced the crop.

Strawberries, like garlic, are known for their high nutrient levels, which made them another hot commodity during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our neighbours assisted us through the entire process of procurement, land preparation and farming until we were able to stand on our own feet,” recalls Doreen.

They have now built up a reliable base of retailers, and their strawberries “are well received, as they’re delivered after being freshly picked the same day”.

Asked whether they have any plans to expand the project, Doreen replies: “Yes, we’re already preparing for our next crops! We’ve increased our water capacity from two on-site boreholes, so we’ll be able to grow much more than before.”

GOVERNMENT BAN

The story of Ramaphatle Greens dovetails with the Botswanan government’s decision to boost the country’s horticultural production. Evidence of its commitment to this goal was

Packaged strawberries produced by Ramaphatle Greens. Strawberries became very popular during the COVID-19 pandemic because of the nutritional value they add to diets.

‘THE BAN ON VEGETABLE IMPORTS WILL ALSO HELP TO INCREASE EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES’

revealed by the government’s recent decision to ban imports of vegetables, including from South Africa.

Ramaphatle Greens, which supplies almost all the fresh produce retailers in Gaborone with garlic, ginger and strawberries, employs six staff. This number is boosted by seasonal workers from the neighbouring villages, when labour for planting, weeding and harvesting is required.

“About 10 temporary workers come in almost daily during harvesting and packing,” says Doreen.

A FAMILY OPERATION

She explains that having a family business has its pros and cons.

“We have a unity of purpose to [fulfil] the long-term vision of the business because of the experience of working as a family and understanding the common objectives.”

In addition, the project provides jobs for family members.

“The challenge is that favouring family members can discourage input from non-family members.”

Asked about the benefits of expanding horticulture in Botswana, Doreen says the initiative is helping to make the country self-reliant, and that the

money “used in importing produce can be used for more critical needs”.

Statistics from the Botswana Ministry of Agriculture show that before the ban on vegetable imports and improved government support to farmers in horticulture, the country imported more than 50% of the vegetables consumed there, and the annual import bill for vegetables was around P201 million (about R270 million).

“The decision by the government will also increase employment opportunities in our communities and grow wealth.”

She says that with time, the local industry will have to find ways to offset higher production costs, as structures such as tunnels and greenhouses remain prohibitively expensive.

In addition, growing such sensitive crops in a hot environment is no easy task.

“Other challenges are the high cost of packaging materials, for example strawberry punnets and boxes, most of which are imported, and the cost of fertiliser, which is also largely imported.”

MAINTAINING QUALITY

Following the ban on vegetable imports in early 2022, some consumers complained of poorquality produce from local farms, as well as a shortage of supplies.

Willy says that in their own bid to meet the quantity and quality demanded by retailers and other customers, he and Doreen have enlisted the help of consultants. These experts come to their farm regularly to evaluate crops and production processes with the aim of improving quality and increasing yield.

To this end, the Kathurimas have also installed cold rooms and bought a refrigeration truck to ensure that the strawberries are delivered in good condition.

Doreen says she believes that the government is committed to growing local production, as the horticulture sector is seeing improved access to funding, markets and technical assistance.

“We’re thankful for the opportunity […] to grow our own businesses so that we can meet local demand with our own products and industries.

Asked why they chose to plant strawberries, garlic and ginger in the first place out of so many horticultural crops, Doreen says: “The return on our effort was a factor. Strawberries, garlic and ginger are generally considered high-value crops, and the returns from selling them are far more rewarding than those of other horticultural crops.”

Phone Ramaphatle Greens on +267 75 928 706. FW

THE BUSINESS SUPPLIES ALMOST ALL FRESH PRODUCE RETAILERS IN GABORONE WITH GARLIC, GINGER AND STRAWBERRIES

Farmworkers harvesting strawberries. The fruit is delivered fresh to retailers on the day it is picked.

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Botswana’s leading commercial fish producer forges ahead

As a landlocked and semi-arid country, Botswana has every reason to seek creative ways of diversifying and boosting food production to ensure food security.

Golden Wrap, a farming enterprise based in Kasane in Chobe District in the north of the country, is a good example of the diversification the government hopes to see replicated across the sector. The company produces fish, as well as fruit, maize and vegetables.

The fish farm was launched by Mari van Graan and her husband Pieter,

and began production in 2016. The following year, the business attracted investment from Danish African Development, Chobe Holdings Limited and Jonathan Gibson, and together the shareholders established the trading company Golden Wrap (Pty) Ltd.

This has since become a model aquaculture business in a country with only a handful of these projects. According to Van Graan, their company, which produces and sells fish through its Chobe Bream Aquaculture Fish Farm, focuses on delivering the highest-quality

product. Two species are currently under production on the farm: the threespotted tilapia (Oreochromis andersonii) and the Nile tilapia (O. niloticus).

The company also taps into the opportunities presented by the many tourists who visit the region, which is home to worldfamous wildlife sanctuaries such as Chobe National Park.

“When we arrived here in 2014, there was absolutely nothing,” recalls Van Graan. “We were the first commercial fish project to

Mari van Graan and her husband, Pieter, operate a commercial fish farming project in Kasane in northern Botswana, one of very few commercial aquaculture projects in the country. Tshiamo Tabane reports on how the Van Graans built up their company, Golden Wrap, which also produces fruit, maize and vegetables.

Plump, healthy tilapia processed by Golden Wrap lie ready for packaging and transporting to customers. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

be established here. People didn’t know what aquaculture was about, so there was a lot of bureaucracy and many challenges. But through patience, hard work and good management, we managed to establish a profitable fish-farming project.”

In addition to the fish, they produce avocados, lemons, limes, papayas, bananas, watermelons and naartjies.

“We plant crops that can be bought by locals, lodges, restaurants and tourists. And we’re looking to process the avocados into products such as avocado oil for the local and export markets.”

FISH EXPORTS

Golden Wrap is also pursuing opportunities to export its fish, as there is considerable demand from as far afield as the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria.

“We’ve already started exporting to Namibia, where our clients require around 200t of fish a month, which far exceeds what we can supply. We’ve also had inquiries from Dubai,” she adds.

Strong local demand also offers plenty of opportunity for Golden Wrap and other Botswanan fish producers.

According to statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture, Botswanan consumers buy more than 5 000t of fish a year, yet local fish farmers currently produce just 560t/year. Imports make up the shortfall, a situation the government hopes to reverse with further research and investment in local production.

Expansion is certainly on the cards for Golden Wrap, which has ambitions to increase production to as much as 1 000t of fish a year. Production today is 84t/year, and should increase to 500t/year once the current expansion phase is completed.

“We get water from the Chobe River, and we have the right climate, the ideal location and enough land.

“Now we want to expand our production and processing facilities,” says Van Graan.

Another goal is to add a restaurant and recreational fish ponds where tourists can catch fish using rented rods. This will serve as an outlet for all farm produce.

PRODUCTION

Golden Wrap uses a recirculating aquaculture system, which enables the farm to maximise stocking density.

At Golden Wrap, the fingerlings are bred and grown in-house. Each female fish gathers the eggs in her mouth, and these are then removed to induce further spawning. The eggs are later hatched in incubators and grown in glass tanks to the small-fry stage.

These are then transferred to the fry tanks, where they grow for six to eight weeks before being moved to larger tanks. Thereafter, they are placed in even larger fingerling tanks, where they spend another four to six weeks until they are or around 15g in weight.

earth ponds, where they are kept until they reach harvesting size, between 280g and 500g. The total growth period of the fish

During processing, the visceral organs, gills and scales are removed, the fish are weighed again, and the final product is packaged and frozen. Golden Wrap

Chobe Bream brand name.

FAVOURABLE CLIMATE

Turning to crop production, Graan says that their advantage of favourable

“We now have the recirculating system as well as 20 earth ponds with fish in production. We also had an environmental impact assessment approved so that we can have up to 66 ponds of 0,5ha each,” she says.

Other advantages of the recirculating system is that it allows for water temperature control, better water quality, and more efficient waste removal. The nutrient-rich waste water from the earth ponds is used to irrigate maize and other crops on 20ha serviced by a centre-pivot irrigation system.

“[The only exception is] in October, when it’s very dry and hot for some crops, which end up incurring damage from sunburn. But the extreme temperatures last for only a short period. Once the rain starts, the temperature drops to approximately 25°C for the rest of the summer.”

A big plus about being so far north in Botswana is that the area, unlike the southerly parts, does not usually get frost, enabling crops to be grown during winter.

“We plant some crops at the beginning of winter so we can harvest and sell them at the end of the season,” says Van Graan. “It allows us to get a better price for our produce.”

Mari van Graan and her husband Pieter outside the office of Chobe Bream Aquaculture Fish Farm in Kasane, northern Botswana. TSHIAMO TABANE

She adds that with the conditions being this favourable, Golden Wrap is likely to expand its operation to expand its horticulture business.

GROWTH AND EMPLOYMENT

Van Graan is also encouraged by the steps taken by the Botswanan government to boost local food production. This includes legislation to encourage local government institutions and companies to buy locally produced food.

“The number of casual workers depends on the type of crop. We recently grew sweet potatoes, for example, which is labour-intensive and needs many casual workers.”

One of the biggest input costs for the farm, however, is fish feed.

This has to imported from Zambia, as none is manufactured in Botswana, explains Van Graan. Email Mari van Graan at 777rici@gmail.com, or phone her on +267 74 450 404. Visit chobebream.com. FW

“These new regulations make it much better for farmers. The big challenge is that we’re up north, and to get our produce to Gaborone [more than 900km away] is costly because of transport.”

Golden Wrap also contributes to job creation in the Kasane area by employing 49 permanent workers and using 20 to 30 casual workers during the peak harvesting period.

THE COMPANY’S ULTIMATE AIM IS TO INCREASE FISH PRODUCTION TWELVEFOLD

Harvested bananas from Golden Wrap in Kasane being transported to a packaging facility.

Tanks at the fish farm in which tilapia are produced. The growth period from fingerlings to harvest is between nine and 12 months.

Absa Africanacity: bringing agricultural possibilities to life

Absa AgriBusiness aims to empower everyone in the agricultural value chain to plan for the future, says Proactively incorporating climate

Contributing meaningfully to the societies in which we operate, including: Providing inclusive financial services to small and medium enterprises;

Being there for communities and clients when they need us most; and Championing diversity and inclusion.

Committing to the highest standards of governance and ethics, including: governance and risk management; and transparency with all stakeholders.

PUBLIC POLICY AND REGULATION Actively influencing public policy

Acting as a strategic thought leader Influencing national agendas; and Supporting government policies in the collective interest of societies. Being a good corporate citizen and a force for good means that frequently shares sector and financial information with our valued clients with their decision-making in their businesses and production planning.

Livestock industries are impacted by high input costs with pressures

THOMAS HARVEY

building on margins, despite prices for red meat and chicken increasing substantially over the past year. The scope of passing cost pressures onto consumers, however, is limited due to a rapid increase in the cost of living.

The 2022/23 production season seems to hold some challenges and opportunities. On 16 August 2022, the Botswana government announced a ban on cattle movement between regions and between properties, and closed the borders for exports of life animals as well as meat.

This impacted negatively on the cattle industry since feedlots had cattle in their feedlots that could not be moved and had to be fed. Feedlots also stopped buying from rural farmers, which impacted on the rural economy.

However, this challenge did not last long as partial relief was announced on 2 September by the Veterinary Services Acting Director, that cloven hoofedanimals could be moved, with permits, for slaughtering at licensed abattoirs.

Western Cape Minister of Agriculture

Dr Ivan Meyer, indicated that better coordination and collaboration could speed up the process of resolving Botswana’s ban on South African vegetable exports.

Despite the debate, the border remained closed for imports from South Africa and a notable increase in local production can be seen, especially from participation of smallholder farmers.

While this increase in production is cause for celebration, the outlook for the farmers could prove challenging due to the rising cost of fertilisers, higher energy prices, and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic that have disrupted the global supply chain. The war between Russia and Ukraine has also added to the cost of key farming inputs, especially fertiliser, of which both Ukraine and Russia are major exporters.

Agricultural inputs such as fertiliser play an important role in increasing agricultural productivity and yield.

local fertiliser price hikes. For net importing countries, macroeconomic factors such as the exchange rate also play a crucial role in this regard.

South African fertiliser prices followed a similar trend in rand terms, and an increase in crude oil prices could push fertiliser prices even higher. Also, as aforementioned, South Africa’s fuel prices are influenced by international and local factors. International factors include the fact that South Africa imports both crude oil and finished

On 28 September, it was further announced that exports of live cattle and meat could resume from areas declared free of foot-and-mouth disease to South Africa, Zambia and Namibia. Beyond livestock issues, the country’s Minister of Agriculture introduced an import ban on 16 vegetable types which came in effect on 1 January 2022, to be reviewed every two years. This move is in line with Botswana’s ambition to increase its horticulture competitiveness and to boost vegetable production in the country.

Botswana has the land and the ability, but farmers have struggled to get access to markets. Increased local production will enable Botswana to be less reliant on other countries and build towards food independence.

However, the closing of the border with South Africa caused a trade dispute that seems to be escalating. Daniel Johnson, spokesperson for

The Input Cost Monitoring report, published by South Africa’s National Agricultural Marketing Council, is a quarterly report analysing historic and current trends from selected agricultural production input prices in both domestic and international markets. The data for this publication is obtained from Grain SA, the Department of Energy, and the South African Grain Information Service.

The fluctuation in the domestic prices of fertilisers is subjected to price volatility in the global market as South Africa is a net importer. As Botswana’s farmers mainly import fertiliser from South Africa, the same trend is expected.

Since the beginning of 2021, international fertiliser prices have been rising steeply in response to lower global supply. China and Russia’s restrictions on fertiliser exports and the high international price of gas are aggravating the

On 3 October 2022, crude oil traded at US$88,75/barrel (about R1 618/barrel). The reopening of the Chinese economy after their prolonged COVID-19 lockdown will increase the demand for fuel and put upward pressure on international prices.

The Markets and Economic Research Centre reported during August 2022 that the fertiliser shortage was at the heart of various food crises emerging

A NEW PARADIGM SHIFT IS NEEDED TO TRANSFORM AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SYSTEMS

High input costs and rising interest rates will require Botswana‘s farmers to optimise productivity. FW ARCHIVE

around the world. Global prices of fertiliser jumped by 80% last year, and they’re forecast to be higher still by year’s end. The longer these heightened costs persist, the more people will be at risk of going hungry.

Energy price surges have been a key contributor to broad-based inflationary pressures around the globe. This also filtered through to agricultural chemical and fertiliser prices.

Although oil prices are expected to ease in 2023, global macroeconomic

rates are also expected to increase further. These conditions of a high input cost environment and rising interest rates will require from Botswana’s farmers to optimise productivity and introduce scale in their businesses.

Farmers will need to use diversification to spread risk, and they will be wise to draw on instruments such as agricultural insurance that is offered by the banks.

Each farmer must identify the most likely risk in his or her production system, and ensure that they address it proactively, for example by taking out multi-peril crop insurance, producing at scale at optimal productivity levels, and ensuring a good market for their produce.

Over the previous two production seasons, most parts of Botswana received normal to abovenormal rainfall, with flooding in some parts.

In the current production season, we again observed normal to above-normal rainfall, since La Niña bounced back sharply at the beginning of August 2022. Botswana experienced very high temperatures during December 2022 and January 2023, which affected grazing and dryland crops.

The Botswana consumer is currently under pressure due to less free cash because of the increase in living expenses as well as higher unemployment.

can pay their current bills and loans in full. In all, 26% of respondents to TransUnion’s quarterly Consumer Pulse Study said their incomes had increased in the previous three months.

Nearly four in 10 (39%) said their incomes had remained unchanged, while one in three (35%) reported decreased household incomes, largely because of job losses.

POSITIVE SIGNS

These positive signs came despite Botswana’s annual inflation rate soaring to 14,3% in July 2022, the highest since December 2008, on the back of elevated global energy prices and the weakening of the Botswana pula, which reached record lows against the US dollar.

With the cost of transportation (9,2%), food and non-alcoholic beverages (1,7%), and housing and utilities (1,2%) rising, this will have an impact on consumer spending in the coming months, according to Weihan Sun, Director of Research and Consulting at TransUnion Africa.

“We’ve seen inflationary pressure curbing discretionary spending amongst Botswana’s households over the past three months (third quarter), and we expect this trend will continue,” said Sun. “However, the fact that households are still able to service their bills and loan obligations is a sign of resilience, especially during uncertain macroeconomic conditions at a global level.”

grain and oilseed farmers to continue farming sustainably and profitably.

Grains and oilseeds are components required in the poultry, dairy and piggery industries, and other industries where feed plays a crucial role, and higher demand will require substantial investment in grains and oilseeds.

Profit margins for Botswana’s farmers will remain under pressure due to expensive input costs, while interest

The consumer price index in Botswana averaged 63,96 points from 1996 until 2022, reaching an all-time high of 128,10 points in August 2022.

But despite the current constraints, Botswana’s consumers shrugged off macroeconomic headwinds to remain optimistic about their financial prospects in the third quarter of 2022. According to research conducted by TransUnion, three in four (77%) expect their incomes to increase in this year, while seven in 10 say they

Of all respondents, 38% said they cut back on discretionary spending (dining out, travel and entertainment) in the past three months (third quarter), and 58% expected to further cut their discretionary spending in the subsequent three months. Nearly four in 10 (38%) said they had cancelled subscriptions or membership services over the past few months.

Farmers are invited to contact Absa AgriBusiness to discuss their financing needs or for updated production and risk conditions. We would also like to use this opportunity to thank each one of our clients for their loyal support and wish them all success with the rest of 2023.

Email Thomas Harvey at thomas.harvey@absa.africa. FW

Sandveld beef cattle producer sets her sights on quality and expansion

Tebogo Direng, a part-time beef cattle producer and one of only a few Botswanan women farmers, has overcome setbacks to establish a first-rate and growing herd in the Sandveld, 300km north of Gaborone. Tshiamo Tabane reports on how Direng started her cattle herd, and what her production goals are.

A portion of Tebogo Direng‘s herd, which consists of Brahman, Simmentaler and Charolais cattle. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

Growing up in a household where she was the only girl, Tebogo Direng was unfazed by the responsibility that her uncle put on her shoulders, that of tending to the family’s cattle. This experience, as she would later realise, became the inspiration for her to become a livestock farmer in addition to her full-time job in a Gabarone-based bank.

The timing of her farming career could not have been better: right now, Botswana is pulling out all the stops to create a growing base of beef producers with the scale to supply both the domestic and export markets.

Direng’s cattle farm, Ghabee Zaaie, is 3 600ha in size and located

in the Sandveld area, about 300km north of the capital Gaborone.

Her journey into farming began in Sefhare village where she was raised by her single mother. She was the only girl in a family of three children, and fondly recalls that when she was young, her uncle used to take her to a cattle post where he would teach her to do farm chores that were typically expected to be done by boys.

“I got used to taking care of cattle and performing all farm activities at a young age. It helped me gain experience in how to deal with challenges,” she says.

SHOWING METTLE

Direng’s approach to her farming business is anchored by a determination to succeed against all odds in a field that continues to be dominated by men.

After she completed her secondary school education, her interest in cattle farming grew. Eventually, in 2010, when she had enough money, she bought a few of her own beef cattle and placed them on a rented property in the Sandveld area.

“The cattle died after eating the poisonous plant mogau [Dichapetalum cymosum, also known as gifblaar or poison leaf]. I wasn’t aware of the plant when moving my cattle to the new farm.”

Her pursuit received a boost when the Botswana-government-run Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency granted her a loan to buy more cattle, which pushed her herd up to 100 head. This was short-lived, however, as 45 animals died of an unexplained illness.

“It was a huge setback, but I never thought of quitting,” recalls Direng. “My passion for farming kept me going.”

For some time afterwards, she continued experiencing a high mortality rate, but this steadily dropped.

“I’m not sure if the deaths were caused by the change in the cattle’s physical environment. [Gradually] the number of cattle started rising again as I learnt better ways of taking care of them.”

By 2019, she had expanded her herd to 250 head and moved to her

Undeterred, she continued to manage her animals with care, and succeeded in increasing her herd from 150 to 260 head. She has no intention of stopping there, either; her short-term goal is to have 300 head of cattle by the end of 2023.

CHOSEN BREEDS

From early on, Direng’s herd comprised a mix of Brahman, Simmentaler and Charolais cattle, a choice that has persisted because of the excellent qualities of these three breeds.

The Charolais and Simmentaler are heavy, she explains, “so they achieve a good weight and selling price”, while the Brahman is hardy, a trait that fits well with Botswana’s demanding conditions.

She also intends raising Beefmaster, Droughtmaster and Bonsmara cattle in the near future, as her focus is on breeding to increase the size of her herd.

“I’m currently using bulls for breeding but will be introducing

‘I’M AIMING FOR A BREEDING STOCK OF 300 ANIMALS AND A CALVING RATE OF 80%’

Direng with her Brahman cattle, one of the three beef breeds she farms in Botswana‘s Sandveld.

artificial insemination. I’ll be attending a course in South Africa to learn more.”

She currently has 20 bulls in her herd.

“A breeding stock of 300 animals at a calving rate of 80% is what I’m aiming for. That will give me the leeway to sell good numbers,” she says, adding that her target is to sell 100 cattle per annum.

Direng adds that if it hadn’t been for the two incidents of mass mortality, she would have been selling consistently by now.

On balance, though, running cattle in the Sandveld has proved to be a blessing, as the area has never recorded a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

“My farm continues to supply the lucrative EU market. Unlike the rest of Botswana, this area has faced no restrictions on the movement of live cattle because the government tries to contain the spread of FMD. The area also has plenty of good pastures for livestock grazing.”

Nonetheless, the area has its challenges, says Direng. Perhaps the most notable of these is the lack of good roads, which makes transportation of cattle to the market difficult and costly.

Wildlife encroachment is another headache. “We have to deal with predators such as lions, and now we have elephants that destroy infrastructure on our farms.”

To improve the management and monitoring of her farm, she is exploring the use of drones.

The major buyer of Direng’s cattle is the Botswana Meat Commission, a governmentowned meat-processing and export company that sells beef to various markets, including the EU.

Direng says she is encouraged by the fact that the government is “very deliberate in driving food security in the country”, and is pushing for increased cattle breeding in particular. “This creates a massive opportunity for commercial farmers to increase their herds and expand their projects.”

Among its recent projects, the Ministry of Agriculture has been importing semen of high-quality breeds, preparing semen of local breeds for artificial insemination, and donating bulls to farmers.

A LIFE OUTSIDE FARMING

Because she holds a full-time job at the bank, Direng is able to spend time on her farm only on weekends and during holidays. Moreover, the journey from Gaborone to the

Sandveld takes her about four hours, with 200km spent on tarred road and about 100km on a rough dirt stretch traversed only by large vehicles.

Asked about her ambitions for the business, she says: “My plan is to set up a feed-production centre in Sandveld. I have a lot of land and water, and that gives me an opportunity to grow feed for my cattle and also sell to other farmers in the area.

“I also want to venture into horticulture. I’ve realised that potato farming is doing well in the area and I’m looking into that. Those are the two major projects I want to embark on, possibly in 2023.”

Direng currently employs five farmworkers from Otse, the nearest village to her farm. In addition, she takes an active interest in ensuring that her workers’ children are receiving an education.

Many children in Otse don’t attend school, she explains, and this is in addition to the problem of adult unemployment.

“My workers know that I’m strict about making sure their kids go to school. I want to make sure the children’s basic right to receive an education is fulfilled.”

Email Tebogo Direng at tdireng11@gmail.com. FW

Direng prepares feed for her cattle.

As there is no foot-and-mouth disease in the Sandveld area, Direng‘s beef can be exported to the EU.

Ban boosts business for big potato producer

South African-born farmer Johan van Vuuren, together with his brother Fred Sr and nephew, Fred Jr, run one of Botswana’s largest potato production enterprises on their farm in Pandamatenga in the north of the country. Van Vuuren spoke to Tshiamo Tabane about their journey to success, and how the government’s recently announced ban on vegetable imports has benefitted them.

To the outsider, it would appear as though the government of Botswana had farmer Johan van Vuuren and his family in mind when banning the importation of vegetables into the country.

Originally from South Africa, the Van Vuurens emigrated to Botswana 21 years ago. Once here, they realised that they had an ideal opportunity to grow potatoes for local consumption.

Today, Van Vuuren, his brother Fred Sr and his nephew, Fred Jr, produce a combined harvest of nearly 5 000t of potatoes annually.

Van Vuuren attributes much of their success to the years of experience gained by their father in South Africa. Van Vuuren’s father started farming near Springbok Flats, in today’s Limpopo, in 1952.

“He produced various dryland crops, such as maize, sorghum, sunflower and cotton. I farmed with him, worked for a company that produced potatoes, and was also involved with exports of prunes and peaches

for two years. Then we moved to Botswana in 2002,” says Van Vuuren. His farm, Highbury, is located in Pandamatenga, about 820km north of Botswana’s capital, Gaborone. The area, which is close to the borders of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia and Angola, is at the centre of the government’s push for the development of sustainable agriculture in Botswana.

CLIMATE

Pandamatenga has about 82 rainy days, with an average annual rainfall of around 600mm, making it ideal for grain, horticulture and livestock production.

Another advantage of farming here is that the area is not frost-prone.

“Before 2022, we hadn’t had frost in years. Even the frost we had last year was mild and didn’t do much damage. Our potato plants survived and still produced a crop of good quality and quantity.

“In other production areas, however, such as Ghanzi [in the west] and Tuli Block [in the east], the frost was severe, and that’s why they can’t grow crops in winter like us.”

The Van Vuurens focus on two highyielding seed potato varieties, namely Sifra and Mondial. Sifra is a round white potato that is resistant to pests such as golden nematode and immune to wart disease. It is slightly susceptible to late blight and common scab, however.

It is a waxy, floury variety, making it suitable for boiling, roasting and frying. Mondial grows well under dryland conditions and recovers easily from hail and frost damage. It has strong resistance to common scab. Its waxiness also makes it an excellent option for boiling and frying.

THEY FOCUS ON TWO HIGH-YIELDING SEED POTATO VARIETIES: SIFRA AND MONDIAL

To mitigate the effects of diseases on their potato plants, Van Vuuren says they follow a strict spraying programme that deals with “all potato diseases, because we get all of them [in Pandamatenga]”.

“We follow a strict chemicalspraying programme to protect the crops from pests and diseases. To ensure good growth, we also apply the correct fertilisers as per the fertigation programme for potatoes.”

PRODUCTION

Van Vuuren and his nephew each have 25ha under potatoes, while his brother has around 50ha planted to the crop. However, they market their combined production under the ‘Panda Potatoes’ brand and packaging. “It’s a family venture,” he says.

They cannot grow potatoes in the rainy season, as the region’s black cotton soils make it difficult to manoeuvre in the lands during that time. Their production season therefore runs between April and October.

Van Vuuren explains that apart from demand, they chose to farm

Johan van Vuuren has 25ha under potatoes on his farm in Pandamatenga. Pending the approval of a bank loan, he plans to expand his production to 40ha. TSHIAMO TABANE

CROPS Potatoes

potatoes because they are hardy and don’t spoil as quickly as other produce, a key consideration due to their distance from Gaborone.

They are able to get their potatoes to market without worrying about spoilage.

EXPANSION PLANS

Van Vuuren says the family will expand their production if they can secure new markets in neighbouring countries Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Angola.

As it is, he plans to grow his own area under potatoes to 40ha, and is awaiting approval on his application for a bank loan in order to do so. The funding will also be used to purchase more centre pivots.

The potatoes from all three farms are sent to his brother Fred’s cleaning and packaging facility.

Van Vuuren explains that the bulk of their business comes from retailers across Botswana, albeit mainly in Gaborone, followed by street vendors.

He says that before the ban on vegetable imports came into effect, requests were made to the government to temporarily close the country’s borders in this regard in order to make local potato production viable.

And while vegetable smuggling is an ongoing issue that distorts prices, the penalties for doing so are more severe because of the ban, so there is less of it taking place, he explains.

The government of Botswana introduced the ban in January 2022 in a bid to boost local production and create an incentive for farmers to ensure the country’s food security.

Van Vuuren says he is confident that local farmers are now ready to produce the quantities required throughout the year.

“If we can stagger production throughout the year, everybody will get potatoes at a fair price.”

Nonetheless, even though the ban has helped to stabilise the market, production costs have escalated, making it necessary for producers to boost farm efficiencies and look for other ways to curb expenses.

MAJOR BARRIERS TO PRODUCTION

Van Vuuren says the greatest challenges that they face are the cost and shortage of inputs.

“We import everything [from South Africa], from potato tubers

to fertilisers, and this raises our production costs even more.

“We also generate our electricity via generators, so the rising fuel price adds to our escalating production costs.”

Prior to the ban, local potato production met 49% of national demand, but this increased to over 70% by August 2022, according to figures released by the Ministry of Agriculture.

The data also showed that potatoes, tomatoes and onions accounted for 53% of Botswana’s total horticultural

A potato harvested from Van Vuuren‘s farm, where he grows the Sifra and Mondial varieties. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

import bill, which was P201 million (around R273 million) between January and October last year.

THE FAMILY RUNS A MENTORSHIP PROGRAMME FOR SMALL-SCALE POTATO FARMERS

Van Vuuren says he is happy with the contribution that his family’s business has made to the local rural community in Pandamatenga.

“During our harvesting period, we employ many casual workers. And since our production season runs for about seven months, we hire approximately 150 people to do the harvesting and packaging. We also need casual [workers] to perform other activities such as weeding and fertilising.”

In addition, as they don’t have their own trucks to transport their produce, they outsource this to other local businesses.

Van Vuuren adds that the family has started a mentorship programme for small-scale potato farmers in Pandamatenga.

“I applaud our government; it’s always on the farmer’s side. There’s a lot that neighbouring countries can learn from Botswana,” he claims.

Email Johan van Vuuren at farmersweekly@caxton.co.za. FW

MAIZE

Open pollinated varieties, conventional and GM hybrids

CROP SEED

Dry beans, groundnuts, peas, hybrid and open pollinated grain sorghum, sunflower, green beans, soya beans

PASTURE & FORAGE

Temperate and sub-tropical pastures

GREEN MANURE & COVER CROPS

LAWN & AMENITY GRASSES

Van Vuuren says the rising prices of inputs such as fertiliser have pushed up his production costs.

From accountant to grain farmer in Botswana

Basadi Molelekeng is among the youngest black women farmers in Botswana to have succeeded as a dryland commercial producer. She explains how she ditched her office job for agriculture in northern Botswana, and how she juggled these demands with those of a young mother. Tshiamo Tabane reports.

Basadi Molelekeng’s daily commute to Kasane in northern Botswana, where she worked as an accountant, took her through the vast farmlands around Pandamatenga. As time went by, she became more and more intrigued by her surroundings and the idea of making a radical career change to farming in the area. This was in 2013. Today, at 35, Molelekeng is a fulltime commercial farmer, one of a new generation of producers in the

country that can best be described as industrious, fearless and full of energy. These are exactly the traits that this landlocked, semiarid country is seeking to harness in its bid to produce more food for its people and for new markets.

SELF-TAUGHT

Molelekeng, who was born in Shoshong in Botswana’s Central District, describes herself as a selftaught farmer. She started dryland

production on 260ha and now produces sorghum, beans and sunflower on more than 500ha. Her crop rotation also includes chickpeas and cowpeas.

She recalls that she started by answering an advertisement put out by the Chobe Land Board in Kasane calling for interested would-be commercial farmers.

“I applied for a 507ha farm in 2015, and the following year I was awarded the farm, where I’m currently farming,” says Molelekeng. “It was

Basadi Molelekeng herds her sheep back to their enclosure on her farm in Pandamatenga in northern Botswana, where she also grows various crops, including sunflower, beans and sorghum. PHOTOS: TSHIAMO TABANE

removal. I started by planting crops to 260ha, and the yield was good.

“The following year I continued clearing the bush until I’d finished the whole area.”

Pandamatenga, located some 900km north of Gaborone, has fertile black cotton soils and receives an annual rainfall of about 600mm, making it the ideal location for growing grain and other crops.

This is what led the Botswana government to start developing the area in 1984 by allocating more than 25 000ha to farmers as a way of boosting the country’s food security.

Pandamatenga accounts for more than 90% of grain production in Botswana.

The opportunities inherent in the area’s agricultural scheme are what attracted Molelekeng to enter farming full-time.

She never attended any formal training in agriculture, noting that, unlike most other commercial producers, she has no family roots in farming; her parents were teachers.

“I started by doing research and networking with other established commercial farmers. I have a good relationship with commercial farmers in Pandamatenga. When I have a challenge, I can call different farmers and agronomists for consultation and finally get a solution,” she says.

Molelekeng is keen to try other crops such as wheat, and expand production.

“I’m not too comfortable with the size of my farm! I feel that 500ha is too small, and I feel underutilised. I’m ready to expand,” she says, adding that 1 000ha more would be ideal.

But farming in Pandamatenga does not come without its challenges. “Sometimes, I have sleepless nights,” she admits.

FLOODS AND WILD ANIMALS

At first, recalls Molelekeng, she struggled with floods, which damaged her crops, but the Botswana government has since built water drainage infrastructure and developed internal roads to improve accessibility for farmers.

Pandamatenga’s proximity to some of the world’s most renowned wildlife sanctuaries, including Chobe National Park, also adds to Molelekeng’s challenges. Giraffes, eland, elephants and quelea birds destroy crops, raising the ire of many local farmers.

Queleas, in particular, invade farms in large swarms, feeding on ripe sorghum, sunflower and maize, and costing farmers a fortune.

Even so, Molelekeng says she remains undeterred, emphasising the value of maintaining a good relationship with other farmers and professionals in the industry.

“I’m a young mother with kids who are still small and need my attention,” says Molelekeng, whose husband died in a vehicle accident five years ago.

“It’s not easy but I’m trying. For example, I have to stay on the farm

during the harvesting season, and can’t see my children. After the harvest, I finally get the chance to see them.”

Molelekeng’s bid to expand further has driven her to add livestock to her dryland farming operation, which now includes sheep and poultry (a combination of broilers and layers), albeit on a small scale. At first her poultry was meant just for family consumption, but she later decided to sell eggs to hotels in Pandamatenga and Kasane.

Fallout from the COVID-19 lockdown, however, hit the tourism business, and demand for eggs dropped, forcing her to reduce the number of her layers from around 1 500 to the current 200.

She also keeps guineafowl, and has horses for recreational purposes.

Due to the prices of inputs, from fuel to fertiliser, shooting up during 2022 and putting pressure on margins, Molelekeng is exploring diversification into crops that are cheaper to produce.

“Costs have skyrocketed. In the past two years, they’ve tripled! But the prices fetched for commodities produced on farms are stagnant, and it’s a serious challenge for us.

“As farmers we don’t have control over our margins because the prices are dictated by the buyers. The margins have been getting slimmer and slimmer over the years.”

Specifically, she is considering crops that can withstand drought conditions, command good prices overseas, and require fewer inputs.

“This year (2022) I exported mung beans in US dollars and it really benefitted me. The strong US dollar cushioned us,” says Molelekeng.

Some 65% of her 2021/22 sunflower seed and mung bean crop was exported, while the balance went to the local market.

“We don’t have good rainfall here, which means the yields are sometimes lower,” says Molelekeng.

‘WE CAN THRIVE BY FOCUSING ON CROPS THAT CAN SURVIVE DURING DROUGHTS’

“In fact, the weather here is not favourable, but we can thrive by focusing on crops that can survive during droughts. We also plant drought-resistant varieties.”

PRODUCTION

Production on her farm starts with land preparation. This involves ploughing the soil and levelling it to prepare seedbeds.

After the first rain, Molelekeng sprays herbicide before planting begins. Fertiliser is then added to the soil. After germination, workers scout the crops for pests and weeds. Molelekeng prefers to remove the latter by hand, partly as a way to support her local community by providing people with jobs.

In the most recent season, Molelekeng says her beans yielded 1,75t/ha. This, according to her, was good, as the average for the crop was 1t/ha. Her sunflower yield was 1,6t/ha, also above average. She has 200ha under sunflower and 300ha under mung beans.

Currently, Molelekeng has five full-time employees on her farm, but during planting, weeding and harvesting she employs more than 60 casual employees.

FUNDING

She says the Botswana government’s Integrated Support Programme for Arable Agriculture Development has been a great help by paying 30% of the cost of fertilisers and seeds. Absa Botswana has also assisted her by funding some equipment and providing an overdraft facility. “Before Absa, I was getting loans from development banks, but where they couldn’t help me, Absa chipped in and assisted.”

Molelekeng stresses that more people need to start commercial farming in Botswana. “That’s where our food [security lies]. If more farmers ventured into commercial farming, we’d have enough food for the local market and excess for export.”

Email

Basadi

Molelekeng at bicolorholdings@gmail.com. FW

TOP: Molelekeng inspects some of the equipment on her farm. MIDDLE: Her livestock includes two horses that she keeps for recreational purposes. ABOVE: Molelekeng collecting eggs with her son Fela and daughter Mosa. Her poultry operation is part of her bid to diversify and scale up her commercial farming venture.

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SMART: a big boost for small-scale farmers

John Deere’s SMART initiative is helping farmers optimise production and boost crop yields in South Africa’s Eastern Cape.

Formerly known as part of a homeland in South Africa, the Mthatha region of the Eastern Cape has significant agricultural potential. With ample room for development, and a community eager to learn, this was the perfect place for John Deere AME (Africa and the Middle East) to embark on a journey of growth that is set to change the lives of farmers in this area forever.

In collaboration with local farmer development groups which provide mentorship for farmers in the area, John Deere identified a number of small-scale farmers in need of the right solutions and mechanisation to grow their farming operations.

“To assess the impact of mechanisation on small-scale farmers, we identified farmers with different needs and farming entities in South Africa. Some of the biggest challenges that farmers in Africa face is access to finance and good mechanisation,” says Zabion de Wee, new business development manager for John Deere AME.

“We decided to adapt the John Deere SMART initiative and customise it for South African farmers to help solve some of the challenges they face daily in crop production.”

The John Deere SMART initiative has already seen great success in Africa. It is designed to provide farmers with the right solution for their operations, the mechanisation they need for better yield, ready access to finance, reliability at lower costs, and access to training and technology.

“Once we introduce farmers to our products and proper mechanisation, we can provide them with the training and technology they need, specifically suited to their farming operations. That, in short, is what the SMART initiative is all about,” says De Wee.

THE ‘FULL-CIRCLE’ JOURNEY

The journey started approximately eight months ago with soil preparation on the rich earth of the Mthatha area (in the OR Tambo District Municipality). Farmers here were provided with the equipment they needed: tractors, off-sets, ploughs and planters to prepare their soil as well as possible.

“We provided the right tools and solutions for these farmers in order to help them achieve optimal yields. We took into consideration what equipment they had, and only upgraded what was necessary, nothing more,” says De Wee. “With SMART, we aim to grow farmers to the level where they can

make use of more technology and take advantage of our advanced equipment, ultimately to get better yields.”

Traditionally, farming in this region is done by hand or with very old equipment. The problem with older farming methods such as harvesting by hand is that it is extremely timeconsuming, and small-scale farmers can carry out only a limited amount of work in a day. In addition, farming by hand places a limit on farm expansion. Proper mechanisation is needed to help small-scale farmers grow their operations.

“We’re dealing with farmers who have been farming for a long time and can’t

Through its SMART initiative, John Deere is providing farmers with the machinery, expertise and support that can help unlock further opportunities for them. The initiative leverages mechanisation to boost crop yield, strengthen farmers‘ financial position, and optimise production. It is part of the company‘s commitment to empower farmers in Africa and the Middle East to run successful operations. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED

reach their true potential. Our goal was to expose them to mechanisation and technologies that they need, but have never used before, in order to enhance their production,” De Wee explains.

SMART supported the farmers through all the production steps of the season, knowing that harvesting is where most farmers experience their biggest challenges.

“We provided the farmers with a C120 John Deere Harvester, bringing the entire SMART project full circle,” says De Wee.

“Harvesting by hand took these farmers almost four months. By contrast, they could complete their harvesting in about three days, resulting in better-quality produce that was ready for market and at higher prices.

“The excitement that the C120 JD harvester generated was heartwarming to see, and that’s what we wanted to achieve: making technology accessible to farmers who didn’t have access to these products in the past. We really want to show that John Deere machinery is for everyone.”

THE RESULTS

In the end, the Mthatha farmers agreed that SMART farming was a more efficient and sustainable way of farming that could help them improve their yield, decrease their costs, and protect their land for generations to come.

“I started farming with vegetables on 5ha in Mthatha in 2015. I used equipment that gave many mechanical issues throughout the season because

it was old, and finding spare parts was difficult,” says Mzimasi Jalisai, who farms in the OR Tambo District.

“In 2021, I was honoured to participate in this SMART initiative and received assistance with mechanisation. The quality of my crop has improved, and where I once got 3,5t/ha, we harvested 8t/ha this season.”

Mveleli Mhlonitshwa, another farmer in the OR Tambo District, says: “Through this initiative, I could plant with a good planter and not experience any downtime. Everything I needed to do I was able to do on time, and it increased my yield from 5t/ha to 8,6t/ha.”

He says he is now in a much stronger position as a farmer.

“This mechanisation on my farm has put me in a position where I can purchase my own equipment for my business. It has also helped me decrease the time frame, allowing me to do the work that usually takes three months in two to three days.

“I can now work more efficiently, and the equipment I use is top-notch – the same level as commercial farming equipment.”

The SMART initiative has placed farmers in a position to earn higher prices for their products and get them to better markets. By assisting these farmers, John Deere has enabled them to scale up commercially.

At the end of this journey, John Deere was able to show the significant difference that mechanisation makes for small-scale farmers. It not only saves time; it increases productivity and efficiency. Mechanisation is essential for growth because agriculture is constantly evolving.

Looking ahead, De Wee says: “The future is exciting, and there are a lot of opportunities in the area that need to be unlocked. With the support of the John Deere SMART initiative, we can take more farmers to the next level and grow their profitability, and so create a more food-secure province.

“We were also able to show what good collaboration with the private sector, NGOs and the right farmers can achieve.”

For more details on the SMART initiative, visit deere.africa/en.

The Afrikaner: ’new’ hero breed in Namibia

The demand for Afrikaner cattle in Namibia has recently increased to such an extent that demand for this hardy, adaptable local breed far exceeds supply. Annelie Coleman spoke to Afrikaner breeders in that country to discover the reasons behind this spike in popularity.

Indigenous to Southern Africa, the Afrikaner cattle breed was instrumental in the development of commercial beef production in Namibia.

The breed reached that country in the late 1800s and early 1900s from South Africa, and proved highly adaptable to arid desert conditions, extreme heat, tropical diseases and both internal and external parasites.

The ancestors of the breed crossed into Africa from Aden (the capital of today’s Yemen) and gradually migrated southwards, with only the best-adapted animals finally reaching Southern Africa.

FOUNDATION STOCK

In the early days of commercial cattle farming in the region, the Afrikaner was the most popular breed, and contributed its genetics to many synthetic breeds.

It was initially dual-purpose (kept for milk and meat production) and also used as a draught animal.

In 1896, the rinderpest almost exterminated the breed in Southern Africa. As a result, various breeds were imported, mainly from Britain and Europe, to build up the region’s depleted cattle numbers. This led to the development of composite breeds through crossbreeding, of which the Bonsmara (which is 5/8 Afrikaner) is probably the best known.

The past few years, however, have seen renewed interest in the hardy Afrikaner.

“It’s the breed for the future because of a shift in focus towards adaptability and productivity,” says Manie Blaauw, a fifth-generation Afrikaner producer on the farm Salztal in the ||Karas region of southern Namibia.

“It’s as competitive today as it was in its glory days, and we aim to see it

regain its rightful place in Southern Africa’s beef cattle-breeding sector."

WINNING TRAITS

Thanks to the relatively small birthweight of the calf (between 30kg and 35kg), Afrikaner cows seldom

The breed is highly fertile and long-lived. Productive cows of 18 years old are not uncommon. Afrikaner cows are excellent dams and highly protective of their calves. Despite this, they are even-tempered. The breed has outstanding walking

TOP: The Afrikaner‘s thick hide has twice as many sweat pores as European cattle breeds, enabling it to handle heat easily, while the short, strong, shiny hair helps to keeps ticks away.

ABOVE: Hilmar von Lieres, spokesperson for the Afrikaner Cattle Namibia Breeders‘ Group, says the Afrikaner makes business sense, as it‘s a low-input, top-performing breed.

hard hooves is important in Namibia, where cattle often have to traverse long distances between watering points and grazing areas because of the highly extensive farming conditions.

Afrikaners are indiscriminate grazers and often resort to browsing, a great advantage in times of drought.

PLASTICITY

The hardiness and plasticity of the breed is demonstrated by the fact it thrives in the semi-desert conditions of southern Namibia. Here, cattle are invariably part of mixed livestock concerns with mutton and lamb production.

Maximum temperatures in this region can exceed 40°C, yet the Afrikaner excels under these conditions, and with little shade, a clear indication that this is a true African beef breed.

The cattle are kept mostly on the veld without additional feed, except for the normal winter and summer licks.

With the effects of climate change increasing, the Afrikaner’s unparalleled resistance to extreme temperatures,

relatively low water intake and high milk production, even under adverse conditions, are expected to be valued more and more.

“The majority of the Afrikaner’s genomics are geared towards adaptability. This makes it possible for the breed to excel under strenuous production conditions,” says Prof Michiel Scholtz, specialist researcher, animal breeding, genetics and animal production at the South African Agricultural Research Council.

“This makes the breed one of the most obvious choices for sustainable and profitable beef production from the veld.“

DECLINING POPULARITY

Despite all these attributes, Afrikaner numbers in Namibia nonetheless declined sharply in the past. Blaauw ascribes this to the feedlot industry’s discrimination against indigenous breeds, such as the Afrikaner and the Nguni, preferring a weaner that did not fatten up rapidly.

An Afrikaner weaner builds up condition in a relatively short time, while the cows regain condition quickly, even during times of drought. According to Hilmar von Lieres, spokesperson of the Afrikaner Cattle Namibia Breeders’ Group, the breed regained its popularity during and after the multiyear drought that ravaged the country a few years ago. Since then, demand for Afrikaner cows and heifers has

FAST FACTS

The Afrikaner is regaining its popularity in Namibia due to the breed’s outstanding ability to excel under severe climatic conditions.

The breed’s plasticity, and the fact that it has adapted so well to these harsh conditions, make it ideal for beef production that can remain sustainable despite the challenges posed by climate change.

The Afrikaner’s fertility and production efficiency under taxing climatic conditions can hardly be beaten.

The Afrikaner thrives in the +40 ° C conditions of southern Namibia, making it a good choice for this harsh environment. Another reason for its popularity is its tasty, tender and juicy beef, and the fact that the breed improves the meat quality of the breed with which it is crossed.

PHOTOS: MANIE BLAAUW

grown markedly and breeders have struggled to meet the demand.

“The Afrikaner is a low-input animal with good-quality beef. Herein lies the real value of the breed,” he says.

“It offers superb business opportunities for the extensive beef farmer. Its ability to reach, exploit and convert all available veld into top-quality beef has become invaluable during the drought that has assailed Namibia.

“The breed’s qualities also minimise the need for supplementary feed, even during tough times.

“Namibian beef producers have become increasingly aware of the breed’s competitive advantage. We also regularly receive enquiries from Botswana about the availability of Afrikaner cattle for sale.”

OXEN PRODUCTION

The Afrikaner cow’s production efficiency ensures that a calf is born every year even under adverse climatic conditions. The cow is also unrivalled in terms of weaner output, reliably raising a strong and healthy calf.

The breed’s distinctive attributes make it the ideal option for slaughter oxen production.

Oxen are backgrounded on the veld with the minimum of supplements, which cuts down on input costs.

Because of Namibia’s extensive farming conditions, a medium-framed animal is preferred to the heavierframed animals found in South Africa.

The Namibian Afrikaner has to be able to maintain itself on lowerquality grazing than that found in South Africa, hence the value of a medium-framed animal. The animals must be able to convert grazing into sufficient energy to maintain high production and growth levels.

Afrikaner breeder Eric Hamman, who farms between Windhoek and

brought the first 60 cows and a bull to Namibia. The animals were purchased from the Geldenhuys stud near Kroonstad in the Free State, South Africa.

Of the original 60 cows, 10 were sold and the rest formed the nucleus of the Hamman herd.

“Afrikaner crosses are known for ease of calving and high milk production,” says Hamman.

“The breed’s relatively low birthweight, coupled with its high growth rate, make for no-nonsense cattle that can look after themselves on the veld.

This will influence the breeds that beef cattle producers choose for their operations, as these animals will need to thrive under harsh conditions.

With its intrinsic traits honed over the centuries to cope with the demands of a harsh region, Blaauw says the Afrikaner fits the bill perfectly as an outstanding breed to take beef production in Namibia forward.

Email Hilmar von Lieres at hvonlieres@oldmutual.com, or phone Manie Blaauw via WhatsApp on +264 81 608 7806. FW

The Afrikaner cow is unsurpassed in weaner output, dropping and raising a strong, healthy calf annually. Because of the breed's low birthweight, calving problems are almost unknown.

‘AFRIKANER CROSSES ARE KNOWN FOR EASE OF CALVING AND HIGH MILK PRODUCTION'

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